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Finnish composer, whose music and genius have played an important role in shaping the Finnish identity and in influencing future generations of musicians. His most important works are "Symphony No 5", "Kullervo", "Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47", "Finlandia" and "Karelia Suite".
Born to a cultivated middle class in Finland, he showed early promise as a composer and violinist and although his initial intentions were to study law, he finally devoted himself to music. At the conservatory, his "first choice" was to become a soloist violinist but following a loss of confidence, he abandoned the idea and focused on his "second choice" of becoming a composer. In his 20s, he went to study in Vienna where he got the first ideas of his symphony "Kullervo" which established him as a major composer in Finland.
His works during the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century had nationalistic character and elevated him to a national hero in Finland, when the country was still under the control of Russia and was searching for a new national identity of its own. In his music, he successfully captured Finnish legends, history and nature for which he had a great admiration. He therefore became an important influential figure in the independence of Finland in 1917 and in the development of its musical but also broader culture.
He adored nature, he was a romantic nature lover and incorporated many of its elements in his compositions.
In an interview in 1948, Sibelius offered the following advice to young musicians: "Never write a superfluous note; every note must live". He applied this principle in his own works, which are still shining in the music world and are among the most influential of the kind. In his final years, he was recognised as one of the greatest composers of his age, with his music being played everywhere.
He died at 91, almost 50 years after being diagnosed and treated with throat cancer.
